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April 2, 2008

Beckett Ready For Sunday Start; Dice Rescues Game Ball For Son

Josh Beckett pitched five innings (64 pitches) at the minor league complex in Fort Myers, allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts. Terry Francona said Beckett would start on Sunday (against Roy Halladay) in Toronto "more likely than not".

When Beckett is activated, one of the bullpen arms -- David Aardsma, Bryan Corey or Javier Lopez -- will have to go. (I can't see them junking Kyle Snyder, though.) And there will be another decision to make when Mike Timlin returns after a couple of outings with Pawtucket, possibly on April 7 and 9, which could make him available for the first Yankees series on April 11.

Daisuke Matsuzaka went out of his way to retrieve the game ball following tonight's 2-1 win after Jonathan Papelbon tossed it into the stands by the visitors dugout in order to save it as his keepsake for his newborn son.

I had asked my teammates to hang onto the game ball, but I guess the message didn't get through.

Matsuzaka became the first Red Sox pitcher to start twice in the first three games of a season since Luis Tiant (helped by two rainouts) did it in 1974 (April 5 and 11). ... Matsuzaka did not issue a walk -- his first BB-free start since last May 30.

Kevin Youkilis played his 193rd consecutive game at first base without an error, tying Steve Garvey. Yook's streak began on July 5, 2006; Garvey set his mark from June 26, 1983 to April 14, 1985.

The Red Sox dropped from #2 to #4 in team payroll ($133.4 million). The top three: Yankees ($209.1), Tigers ($138.7) and Mets ($138.3). Following Boston are the White Sox ($121.2), Angels ($119.2), Cubs ($118.6), Dodgers ($118.5) and Mariners ($118).

Pedro Martinez may have strained his left hamstring last night. He left after 3.1 innings and 57 pitches. He'll have an MRI today.

I was going to make some snarky comment about this:

but then I saw this:

Ummm ... at least Bot's pump was at the end of the game and not after the 8th inning. ... Nah, they both look like idiots.

If you watch both in real time, you see Pap's was a quickie, while Slut's was extended. And again, Pap won the game, Joba pitched an inning.

Wait, so Melky really did get a curtain call? I remember saying to Allan in the game thread something about that, jokingly. They really are pathetic. I'm telling you, if the Yanks ever win a World Series in their lifetime, they won't know what to do with themselves...they'll lose their identity! haha

Regardless, perhaps you are asking a genuine question. We Red Sox fans are capable of conversations on myriad topics, some related to baseball, some not. At times, we think about and discuss issues that effect the entire planet, while at other times, we'll gab about silly, trivial matters. It's all part of our enriching, productive lives.